ENHANCED SERVICES FOR OLDER CHILDREN WITH AUTISM

The Ernie Eves government recognizes that families of children with autism need support over the long term. That is why we are introducing new programs and services for older children with autism so they can grow and learn.

We are investing $3 million to help support families and their children with autism as the children enter into school or other community services. Transition coordinators will work with families to help support the child's school experience and to help them connect with community services to meet their child's changing needs.

The Ernie Eves government is also committing $16 million for an out-of-class program for elementary school-age children with autism. The Ministry of Community, Family and Children's Services will fund programs that will take place in schools or other community locations and will provide children with an opportunity to spend time with their peers supported by trained professionals. Children will spend time developing and improving their social interaction, behaviour and communication skills.

When a student is identified as having special needs such as autism, the school principal ensures that an Individual Education Plan (IEP) program is designed for that student based on an individualized assessment of the student's learning needs.
Through each student's Individual Education Plan, school boards provide opportunities for students with autism to develop skills that will prepare them to be productive members of the community. A special education program for a student with autism may include one or more of: speech language activities, structured learning activities, social skills training, or one-on-one coaching. The classroom environment may be structured so the program is consistent and predictable.
 

Autism is one of 12 categories of exceptionality defined by the Ministry of Education. To ensure effective education programs for students with autism, the Ministry of Education has consulted with the Autism Society of Ontario and other education partners regarding the development of program standards for autism. These program standards will be pilot tested in the 2003/04 school year. The Ministry will also host forums to help teachers and school board staff learn about effective approaches for teaching children with autism. In addition, the Ministry will continue to work with school boards and other partners to improve co-ordination of services for children with special needs, including the services that support children in their transition from pre-school into the school system.

Children with autism may also benefit from a range of other services available in communities across the province. To support these families, the Ontario government provided funding in 2002/03 for a broad range of services for children with special needs including:
- $29.4 million for respite services
- $42 million for Special Services at Home
- $53 million for Assistance with Severe Disabilities
- $38.7 million for special needs support for child care; and
- more than $370 million for children's mental health; including $42.5 million the Intensive Early Intervention Program for Children with Autism.

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